Buckle up your seatbelts, boys and girls, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
On election day, Oct. 18, about 30 per cent of eligible Rocky View voters came out to mark their ballot.
The result? Big change for the County.
Five of a possible nine councillors have been replaced, including those who represent the entire western portion of the county.
Perhaps most surprising was the result in Division 8. Bearspaw’s Hopeton Louden received 495 votes, and was soundly defeated by opponent Al Sacuta, who received 738 votes, a number that represents more than 50 per cent of eligible voters. This is interesting, considering Sacuta’s vocal opposition to the County, which previously created legal problems for the newly elected councillor. Earlier this year, he was served with a cease and desist letter from the County’s lawyers for allegedly misusing Rocky View’s new logo.
Although County staff insists there are no outstanding legal issues with Sacuta, the situation does raise some questions about the new council. Will the newly elected representatives be able to set aside their animosities long enough to get something done for the constituents they have been voted in to represent? Or will ill will and steadfast convictions stall important decisions over the next three years?
We hope this election puts an end to an increasing level of discontent in west Rocky View.
It will be dependent on whether councillors can act professionally and get the job done.
